Permanently connected electrical connector assembly

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly ( 5 ) for transmitting radio frequency signals includes a first electrical connector ( 1 ) and a second electrical connector ( 2 ). The first electrical connector includes a conductive outer shell ( 10 ), an insulator (not labeled) within the conductive outer shell, a first conductive terminal ( 11 ) and a locking ring ( 12 ) securely fixed on the conductive outer shell. The locking ring has an engaging surface ( 121 ) perpendicular to a horizontal centerline (A—A) of the conductive outer shell. The second electrical connector includes a metallic second shell ( 20 ), an insulative base ( 22 ), and a second conductive terminal ( 21 ). The second shell defines a groove ( 204 ) therein adjacent to a second mating face ( 206 ). An inner side surface ( 2040 ) of the groove adjacent to the second mating face is perpendicular to a horizontal centerline (B—B) of the second electrical connector. When the first electrical connector mates with the second electrical connector, the engaging surface of the first electrical connector securely engages with the inner side surface of the second electrical connector, making the mated connection permanent.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An electrical connector assembly comprising: 
       a first electrical connector including:  
       a metallic first shell having a first centerline and a first mating end, the metallic first shell including a locking ring secured thereon, the locking ring having an engaging surface which is oriented opposite to a the first mating end of the metallic first shell and perpendicular to said first centerline;  
       an insulator retained in the metallic first shell; and  
       a first conductive terminal secured in the insulator; and  
       a second electrical connector including:  
       a metallic second shell having a second centerline and a second mating end, the metallic second shell including a receiving slot and defining a groove therein, the groove having an inner side surface perpendicular to said second centerline and facing away from the second mating end of the metallic second shell;  
       an insulative base retained in the metallic second shell; and  
       a second conductive terminal secured in the insulative base; wherein, when the first electrical connector mates with the second electrical connector, a mating portion of the metallic first shell inserts into the receiving slot of the metallic second shell, the first and second conductive terminals electrically connect, and the engaging surface of the locking ring abuts against the inner side surface of the groove of the metallic second shell, particularly connecting the first and second electrical connectors together; wherein  
       the first connector and the second connector are permanently connected together by abutment between the engaging surface of the locking ring and the inner side surface of the second shell.  
     
     
       2. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the metallic first shell defines a holding slot in an outer periphery of the metallic first shell for securely retaining the locking ring on the metallic first shell. 
     
     
       3. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the locking ring has a quarter-circle cross-section and has an arc-shaped leading surface which is oriented toward the first mating end of the first electrical connector when the locking ring is assembled in the holding slot of the first electrical connector. 
     
     
       4. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the metallic second shell defines a first and a second receiving cavities therein, and the groove is arranged between the first and the second receiving cavities. 
     
     
       5. A coaxial connector comprising: 
       a metallic shell having a horizontal centerline and a mating end, the metallic shell having a rigid locking ring securely fixed in an outer surface of the metallic shell, the locking ring having a generally quarter-circle cross-section and including an engaging surface perpendicular to said horizontal centerline and oriented opposite to the mating end of the metallic shell, and an arc-shaped leading surface oriented toward the mating end, when the locking ring is assembled to the metallic shell;  
       an insulator received in the metallic shell;  
       a conductive terminal secured in the insulator and extending forwardly for electrically connecting with terminal of a mating connector.  
     
     
       6. The coaxial connector as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the metallic shell defines a holding slot therein for retaining the locking ring. 
     
     
       7. The coaxial connector as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the metallic shell is a substantially hollow cylinder and comprises a base portion, a mid-portion and a mating portion, and said holding slot is arranged in the mating portion adjacent to the mid-portion. 
     
     
       8. A coaxial connector assembly comprising: 
       a first connector including;  
       a first metallic tubular shell having a first mating end and enclosing a first insulative housing having a first contact therein;  
       a first annular vertical locking surface formed on an interior face of the first shell and facing away from said first mating end;  
       a second connector including:  
       a second metallic tubular shell having a second mating end and enclosing a second insulative housing having a second contact therein, said second shell being dimensioned compliant received in the first shell;  
       a second annular vertical locking surface formed around an exterior face of the second shell and facing away from the second mating end;  
       a tapered annular guiding surface formed around said exterior face of the second shell and closely in front of said second locking surface, and facing toward the second opening; wherein  
       when assembled, the first locking surface is latchably engaged with the second locking surface under a condition that said first connector and said second connector are permanently assembled together by latchable engagement between the first locking surface and the second locking surface.  
     
     
       9. The assembly as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said tapered guiding surface and second locking surface are provided by a locking ring which retainably while discretely surroundings the second shell. 
     
     
       10. The assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein an annular groove is formed on the exterior face of the second shell to receive said locking ring. 
     
     
       11. The assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said locking ring is dimensioned to be able to radially inwardly deformed in said annular groove when the second shell is inserted into the first shell.